CIO assault Chiyangwa, leave him for dead

BUSINESSMAN and Zanu-PF chairperson for Bulawayo Central, Joe Chiyangwa, has been allegedly assaulted and left for dead by alleged members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).
Speaking from his hospital bed at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) yesterday, Chiyangwa said the CIO operatives based in the city beat him up because he exposed a racket where they could have been working with employees at Old Nic Mine to siphon gold out of the country.
He said the company had been prejudiced of tens of thousands of dollars through the scam.
"The mine was reportedly getting about five kilogrammes of gold daily. However, the extractions dwindled to less that a kilo, prompting management to suspect theft. They hired my company J. Security to get to the bottom of the matter, after failing to catch the thieves," said Mr Chiyangwa who kept grimacing with pain.



He said he deployed undercover detectives to the mine and they uncovered a syndicate that was illegally panning and processing gold underground within the mine.
"When I submitted my report, 14 Old Nic Mine workers were arrested on Saturday last of last week. They were caught trying to smuggle 436 grams of gold out of the mine. They appeared in court on Thursday. I do not know what transpired in court because I was already in hospital," said Chiyangwa.
He said trouble started on the day the suspects were arrested.
"We made further investigations to determine who they were selling the gold to and some managers were implicated. Kadzire, a CIO operative known to me, came to my office and said I should drop the case," said Chiyangwa.
"I told him only my principal, Casmyn Mine that runs Old Nic Mine could do that. I also explained that my reputation, which I use to get clients, was at stake so I could not compromise."

Chiyangwa said: "On Monday a woman calling herself Nhongo called me from CIO offices at Magnate House. I went there, thinking it was for a routine briefing but as soon as I announced myself, some men appeared and started slapping me. The pain was unbelievably intense. They took me to a room where they questioned me about the mine issue. The stripped me and used electric cords and broom sticks to beat me all over my back."

He said three women joined the men and the bundled him into a car and drove along Matopos Road.

"They blindfolded me, ripped off my artificial leg and continued beating me. I recognised three of my assailants as Gono, Kadzire and Nhongo, who had called me. I do not know their first names. I thought they wanted to kill me. I have concluded they were involved in selling the stolen gold because I do not see any other reason why they would take such a keen interest in the case," said Chiyangwa.

He said at one stage he asked his assailants to just kill him because he was in so much pain.

"After I passed out, they put me in my car and left it parked near Fidelity Building along Fife Street. When I came to, I tried to call my son but there was a problem with network. He later came looking for me and found me sprawled in the car. He took me to hospital and we made a report at Bulawayo Central Police Station," said Chiyangwa.

Family spokesperson and National Secretary General of the Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association, Shadreck Makombe decried the assault saying: "It was done by barbarians who have abused the power of their office. They are not above the law and should be made to account for their inhumane actions."

Casmyn chief executive officer Ian Saunders could not be reached for comment as he was said to be out of the country.

A comment could not be obtained from CIO director for the southern region, Zenzo Mtuliki.